Fluid-flow control means



Patented Dec. 1, 1942 FLUID-FLOW CONTRbL MEANS Dewey M. Wolcott, Sandusky, Ohio Application October 7, 1939, Serial No. 298,451

4 Claims.

My invention relates to fluid-flow control means, and more particularly to control means for preventing back-flow of fluid through a conduit. The principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved fluid-flow control means of the character mentioned.

In the drawing accompanying this specification, and forming a part of this application, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, various forms which my invention may assume, and in this drawing: a

Figure 1 is a broken sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention applied to a fluid conduit,

Figure 2 is a plan View of one side of the embodiment, the conduit'and the retaining ferrule being omitted,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the opposite side of the embodiment, and

Figure 4 is a broken sectional view showing a' difierent embodiment applied to a fluid conduit.

The embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 3 comprises generally cup-shaped disc means I0, preferably cast and formed of brass. The disc means Iii includes a plate section II, and an exteriorly screw-threaded flange I2 margining the plate section I I. The disc means I is adapted to be inserted within a conduit, in position to span the passage through the conduit, and may be held in such position in any suitable manner. As here shown, the disc means I3 is inserted within the bell portion I3 of a conduit I4, the disc means' Ill being smaller than the inner diameter of the bell portion l3, and being screw-threadedly received within a ferrule or ring I 5 which iscemented or otherwise suitably secured within the bell portion I3. As here shown, the ferrule I5 is somewhat longer than the bell portion l3, and has its inner end abutting a shoulder formed by the bell portion, and its outer end extending outwardly of the bell portion I3 and formed with interior screw-threads for receiving and holding the screw-threaded flange l2. Integral with the disc'means I0 is a pair of diametricallyopposed lugs I 5, extending from one side of the plate section H and beyond the flange I2, the terminating end of each lug I6 being slotted, as shown at I'I, for the purpose of receiving a spanner wrench (not shown) so that the discmeans II) may be conveniently assembled with or disassembled from the ferrule I5.

The plate section I I is preferably formed with an ofi-center opening I8, the lower margin, refer-ring to Figures-1 and 2, of which is generally concentric with the innerdefining surface of the flange I2. The side and top margins of the opening I8, again referring to Figures land 2, are generally rectilinear and at right angles to each other, as best seen in dotted lines in Figure 2. Extending from one side of the plate section II is a seat forming portion I9 margining the opening II! in the plate I I, the seat portion I9 terminating in a plane seating surface inclined with respect to the adjacent surface of the plate section I I, as best seen in Figure 1.

Valve means are provided for controlling fluid flow through the opening Hi, the valve means being so constructed and arranged to provide for fluid flow through the conduit M in one direction, but prevent flow of fluid in the opposite direction. I

As here shown, the valve means comprises a flap valve 20, preferably formed'of aluminum, and having a contour generally similar to the contour of the opening I8, but of such size as to overlie the opening. The flap valve 26, on its one side, is formed with a recess intermediate its margins to provide a relatively narrow seat engaging portion 2|. The flap valve 20 is formed with an integral lug 23 which is pivoted about a pintle 24 carried by'a pair of lugs 25 extending from the plate section II. The valve lug 23 is provided with an extending portion 26 so positioned that it will engage the adjacent surface of the plate section II when the flap valve 20 is opened a predetermined amount, as for instance the amount shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, thus limiting opening movement of the flap valve 20. The valve means in this embodiment is normally biased to closed position, and in the construction disclosed in Figures 1 through 3, the flap valve 28 is so constructed and arranged that its weight normally urges it to the closed position, such closing being further insured by reason of the inclination of the terminating surface of the seat portion l9.

Positioned to overlie th e'surface of the plate section I I opposite the valve 29 is a screen means 21, preferably formed of brass, and here shown as being in the form of a plate 28 having a contour generally similar to the contour of the opening I8, but being of a greater size so as to overlie the opening I8. The lower curved marginal edge, referring to Figures 1 and 3, of the plate 28 closely fits the inner marginal surface of the flange I2, and opposite this curved surface, the plate 28 is formed with an apertured tab 29, for receiving a single screw bolt 30 which is threade'dly. received Within a screw-threaded aperture formed.

in the plate section I I. By this construction the inner terminating margin of the flange [2 to hold the plate 28 against rotation about the screw 30. The plate 28 is provided with elongated slots' 3| of such size as to remove certain undesirable foreign material from the fluid passing through the conduit.

To assemble the fluid control means with the conduit, the ferrule I5 is preferably first secured to position within the bell portion of a conduit, and the disc means Ill is then threaded into the ferrule I5, the ferrule l5 and the disc means in the embodiment shown having cooperating pipe threads to form a fluid-tight joint. In some instances, the ferrule I5 may be omitted, and the disc means I8 secured directly in position within the conduit. r

The embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 3 is preferably used in a horizontally extending conduit. "Fluid flowing in the'direction shown by the arrow A passes through the screen means 21 and the opening [8 in.the plate section II and strikes the flap valve 29 and moves this valve to position uncovering the opening l8, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, so that fluid may flow through the opening it. When fluid flow in the direction of the arrow A ceases, the flap valve is biased to closed position, any fluid attempting to flow in a reverse direction will abut the flap valve 26 and further assist in holding the flap valve in closed position.

The embodiment shown in Figure 4 is somewhat similar to that shown in Figures 1 through 3, and corresponding parts are given the same reference. numerals supplemented by the suflix a. In this embodiment, the fluid control means is positioned to cooperate with a substantially vertically extending conduit, and as befor may be held in place by a ferrule, or the ferrule may be omitted, and the fluid control means may be positioned within or without the conduit in some suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, a ferrule [5a is suitably secured within the bell portion l3a of a conduit Ma, the ferrule having screw-threads at its outer end for receivingthe screw-threaded flange I21: of a disc means lea. The flap valve 20a, in the embodiment shown in Figure l, is preferably normally biased to open position by its own weight, the extending portion 26a of the flap valve lug 23a limiting such opening movement. Means, responsive to the backing up of fluid within the conduit Ito, is connected to the flap valve 28a, and as here shown, this means comprises a float 32 connected to the flap valve 20a, as by means of a rod 33 carrying the float 32 at one end and having its other end screw-threaded into the flap valve 26a. The float 32 is so positioned as to permit free opening of the flap valve 20a, and thus to provide for flow of fluid in a direction indicated by the arrow A. However, should the fluid back up in the conduit I la, or attempt to flow in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow A, the float 32 will be moved upwardly by the rising level of the fluid in the conduit Ma, so as to move the flap valve 20a to closed position before the fluid passes up through the opening 811 in the plate Ha. The construction shown in Figure 4 may be advantageously used in combination with a fluid discharge basin, such as the basement basin 34 shown, such basin usually being covered by a grille 35. The basin 34, in this instancaextends downwardly from the floor level, and rests directly on the lip of the bell portion 13a.

The fluid-flow control means forming this invention is particularly useful to prevent sewer back-ups during abnormal conditions, such as during heavy rains, the valve permitting ordinary drainage of fluid from the house, but effectively operating to prevent water from the sewer from backing up through the soil pipes and flooding the house. However, it will be obvious that the invention is not limited to the use herein particularly specified.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention, and it also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim: 7

1. A back fluid check, comprising: a flat disclike plate, having a marginal flange extending away from one surface thereof, and being adapted for disposition across the passage through a conduit, said plate having an opening of a size smaller than the overall size of said plate, said opening being positioned off-center withrespect to said plate and having a defining marginal surface generally following the marginal surface of the adjacent portion of said flange, said plate having also ear means extending from its opposite surface; a flat screening plate of a. size slightly larger than said opening and overlying said opening, said screening plate having a defining margin fitting said marginal surface of said flange to assist in positioning said screening plate, and said screening plate having an apertured tab; a single screw bolt passing through the aperturejn said tab and screw-threaded into an opening in said disc-like plate; and a flap valve pivotally connected to said ear means, and

movable to positions covering or uncovering said opening, said flap valve having a portion engageable with said opposite surface of said disc-like plate for limiting opening movement of said flap valve.

2. A back fluid check, comprising: a tubular ring portion, having internal screw-threads at one end, and being adapted for co-axial disposition in the bell of a drain pipe; a flat disc-like plate having a marginal flange extending from one surface thereof, said flange having exterior screw-threads fitting the internal screw-threads of said. tubular ring portion so that said disc-like plate is held in position spanning the opening through said tubular ring porton,said plate-having an .opening. of a size smaller than the overall size of said plate, said opening. being positioned off-center with respect to said plate and having a defining marginal surface generally following the marginal surface of the adjacent portion of' said. flange, said plate having also ear means extending from its opposite surface; a flat screening plate of a size slightly larger than said opening and overlying said opening, said. screening plate having a defining marginfltting said marginal surface of said flange to assist in positioning said screening plate, and said. screening plate having -an apertured tab; a single screw bolt passing through the aperture in said taband screw-threaded into an opening in said disc-like plate; and a flap valve pivotally connected to said ear means, and movable to positions covering or uncovering said opening, said flap valve having a portion engageable with said opposite surface of said disc-like plate for limiting opening movement of said flap valve.

3. A back fluid check, comprising: plate means, adapted for disposition transversely across the passage of a generally vertically extending conduit, and having an opening therethrough, so that when said plate means is in position in the conduit, fluid may flow through said opening and the conduit; screen means, overlying that surface of said plate means which is adapted to be disposed upwardly, and being positioned to prevent passage of objectionable foreign material through said opening; and valve means, comprising a valve member pivoted to that surface of said plate means which is adapted to be disposed downwardly, and also comprising float means rigidly connected to said valve member, the weight of said valve member and said float means being so distributed that said valve member is normally urged to its open position providing for fluid flow through said opening, said float means moving said valve member to its position closing said opening when said float means is engaged by fluid backing up in the conduit; said opening being positioned off-center with respect to, the axis of the conduit and the pivot for said valve member being pivoted along that portion of the margin of said opening which is spaced farthest from the conduit wall, so that said valve member and said float means may pivotally move a substantial distance within the conduit.

4. A back fluid check for a generally upright conduit, comprising: a flat disc-like plate, adapted for disposition across the passage through the conduit, having a marginal flange extending from its upwardly disposed surface and having also an opening of a size smaller than the overall size of said plate, said opening being positioned oil-center with respect to said plate and having a defining marginal surface generally following th marginal surface of the adjacent portion of said flange, said plate having also ear means extending from its downwardly disposed surface; a flat screening plate of a size larger than said opening and overlying said opening, said screening plate having a defining margin fitting said marginal surface ofsaid flange to assist in positioning said screening plate, and said screening plate having an apertured tab; a single screw bolt passing through the aperture in said tab and screw-threaded into an opening in said disclike plate; a flap valve pivotally connected to said ear means, and arranged to control flow through said opening, said valve being movable by influence of gravity to open position providing for flow through said opening, and having a portion engageable with said downwardly disposed surface of said disc-like plate for limiting opening movement of said flap valve; and float means, connected to said flap valve, and actuated by fluid backing up in the conduit to move said flap valve to position closing said opening.

' DEWEY M. WOLCOTT. 

